the responses seem quite one sided so i'll throw something in. there is a question of translation when it comes to a particular word in this verse. where it says 'rapes' it's worded differently in different versions. in the KJV for example, it says 'lay hold' which is not quite as harsh language. the NLT simply says 'has intercourse.' since there's disagreement among translations, we should investigate this further. the Hebrew word in question is taphas (תָּפַשׂ) and has a few meanings such as take, handle, hold, or wield. it can mean to seize, arrest, or catch; but it can also mean to grasp, wield, or use skillfully.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex...8610&t=KJV
so the use of the word in and of itself doesn't tell us exactly what it means, so we have to look at the context of its use. so what does the context tell us? well, 3 verses earlier in verse 25 it definitely mentions rape. but it uses a different word, chazaq (חָזַק), which is a more clearly states it's force, or rape.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex...2388&t=KJV
so from the evidence, it seems that the verse is actually talking about consensual premarital sex rather than rape. and the word chazaq used in verse 28 really is talking about seduction rather than force. if they wanted to mean rape, it would have made sense to use the same word they used 3 verses earlier. now, you can debate the ethics of gunshot weddings all you want... but it's certainly a much less severe case than what is portrayed in the OP.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex...8610&t=KJV
so the use of the word in and of itself doesn't tell us exactly what it means, so we have to look at the context of its use. so what does the context tell us? well, 3 verses earlier in verse 25 it definitely mentions rape. but it uses a different word, chazaq (חָזַק), which is a more clearly states it's force, or rape.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lex...2388&t=KJV
so from the evidence, it seems that the verse is actually talking about consensual premarital sex rather than rape. and the word chazaq used in verse 28 really is talking about seduction rather than force. if they wanted to mean rape, it would have made sense to use the same word they used 3 verses earlier. now, you can debate the ethics of gunshot weddings all you want... but it's certainly a much less severe case than what is portrayed in the OP.
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them.
-Galileo
-Galileo
